Fuel Tank

March 13, 2019 at 12:16 PM

Recently rebuilt the car and noticed that I needed to put almost 4 gallons in the tank before it would work. Subsequently, it will run out of fuel in around 100 miles but only accepts 4 gallons to fill up. It would appear, therefore, that something (filter ?) has dropped off the dip tube in the tank. Does anyone know if this can be refitted (or have any other ideas)? The tank is the type with the level gauge sender attached by a cam ring. Curiously, I have an old tank which had the same problem, but can't see or get my hand inside the hole to find out.
Thanks,
Roy

Re: Fuel Tank

March 15, 2019 at 2:14 PM

Hi Roy
It sounds like the pick up pipe inside the tank is broken or damaged somehow? Unfortunately there is no way to repair it apart from replacing the Tank. You may be able to see what's happened through the sender unit hole but as you've discovered it's not big enough to get a hand in!
The only other thing I can think of is that there's something floating loose in there and blocking the pick up after a time. Once the car has stopped and the pump deactivated, whatever it is would float loose again and allow a restart until it's drawn up again?
Looks like you'll need to get the Tank off the car for a good look at it.
Good luck
PeteC

Re: Fuel Tank

March 18, 2019 at 3:43 PM

Hi Pete,
Thanks for the response. My thoughts too, so I've just bought myself a new tank - now I've got the problem of what to do with the virtually full tank of fuel (unleaded with the lead replacement additive) whilst I get the old one off. (Sigh)
Cheers,
Roy

Re: Fuel Tank

March 21, 2019 at 10:38 PM

Hi Roy,
The only other thing I can think of is that the tank has been physically damaged, i.e. dented from derneath meaning that the fuel pick up pipe is no longer at the lowest point of the tank so there is an amount of fuel that cannot be sucked up by the pump (does the fuel pump continuously tick when you stop due to lack of fuel assuming you have the electric SU pump?)
In any case your new tank should cure this of course but thought it might be of interest to others.
Chris